Safety device for circuitous elevators



May 16, 1933. 1,909,045

G. CURRIE SAFETY DEVICE FOR CIRCUITOUS ELEVATORS Filed March 7, 1931 4 Sheets-meet l ATTORNEY y 1933. G. CURRIE 1,909,045

SAFETY DEVICE FOR CIRCUITOUS ELEVATORS Filed March 7, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Flyz \u WITN ESSES m INVENTOR W. v v Gi/firf Curr/e fiQ/WM 54 Z"; q w, .zl/l

ATTORNEY May 16, 1933. e. CURRIE 1,909,045

SAFETY DEVICE FOR CIRCUITOUS ELEVATORS Filed March 7, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Elem far Nafar WITNESSES INVENTOR M W? 4 g Gi/berf Currie ATTORNEY Patented May 16, I933 UNITED STATES PATENT, 0m j GILBERT CURRIE, 0F WILKINSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC & MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF' PENNSYLVANIA SAFETY DEVICE FOR CIRCUITOUS ELEVATORS Applicationfiled March 7,

My invention relates to circuitous elevators for the storage of automobilesand it has particular relation to safety devices for ensuring safe operation thereof.

As a solution of the problem of parking automobiles in congested'business areas of the larger cities, the use of so-called circuitous elevators? has been proposed for the purpose of storing a large number of automobiles upon a comparatively small ground area. As employed herein, the term circuitous elevator is applied to any conveyor structure having a plurality of receptacles movable in an endless path.

One type of circuitous elevator adapted particularly for the storage of automobiles is described in the copending application of H. D. James, Serial No. 330,455, fiied January 5, 1929 and assigned to the \Vestinghouse Electric & l\lanufacturing Company. The device described is a conveyor comprising essentially, a pair of similar endless chains each in the form of a loop,'disposed vertically in parallelspaced relation, whereby a plurality of receptaclespivotally suspended from and between the endless chains at a lateral distance therefrom by means of bracket arms connecting the receptacles and the endless chains, are movable successively through two adjacent vertical columns in an endless or circuitous path. I

A modification of the above-designated type of circuitous elevator comprises a structure in which the twoendless chains are vertically displacech'the points of attachment of the receptacles, at opposite ends thereof, to the endless chains being also vertically displaced. One such modification is disclosed in the copending app ication of H. DQJa-mes and Gilbert Currie, Serial No. 512,291 filed January 30, 1931 and assigned to the Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Com pany. a I

' For the purpose ofillustration, I have shown my invention applied to a circuitous elevator of the latter construction, although it should be understood thatit is applicableto a circuitous elevator of any type.

The purpose of my invention is to insure 1931. Serial No. 520,835.

that an automobile shall be properly posiout of the confines thereof, and also prevents injury to an automobile when one or more of its doors is left open. e

A device for-protecting only the doors of an automobile and preventing the movement of a circuitous elevator if one or more of such doors should be left open is described and claimed in the copending application of H. DuJL-IHGS and G. D. Fish, Serial No. 508,054 filed January 12, 1931 and assigned to the Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company. I have, however, designed a device which protects the entire automobile from injury and not merely the automobile doors.

In order to preventthe movement of a circuitous elevator due to the unbalance of load in the two adjacent columns when the elevator has been stopped, I have provided a means additional to the previously suggested service brake on the elevator driving motor. Service brakes of the type employed in prior structures have been of a Well known type havingelectromagnetic means for re-] leasing them and means, such as a spring,-for automaticallysett'ing them upon the deenergization of the electro-magnetic means.

There is no provision, in prior, art structures, for preventing movement 01: :1 circuitous elevator in the event of the failure of the service brake, or any of the elements 'ofthe associated driving mechanism, When a'cir- 'cuitous elevator is stopped and, therefore,

aflcircuitous elevator, upon the stopping thereof, and the opening of a door for providing entrance and exit facilities to the receptacles. I have provided further, means for preventing the release of said locking means as long as an automobile is not confined entirely within the limits of a receptacle.

It is an object of my invention, therefore, to prevent movement of a circuitous elevator unless the automobiles are entirely confined within the limits of its receptacles.

It is another object of my invention to prevent the closing of a door, providing entrance and exit facilities for the receptacles of a circuitous elevator, unless the automo biles are confined entirely within the limits of the receptacles.

It is another object of my invention to lock all of the receptacles in fixed positions when ever a door, for providing entrance and exit facilities to and from the receptacles, is open.

A further object of my invention is to prevent the actuation of the receptacle-position locking means whenever the receptacles are moving.

It is a further object of my invention to prevent the opening of a door, providing an entrance and an exit to and from the receptacles of a circuitous elevator, while the receptacles are moving.

It is a further object of my invention to prevent the release of the receptacles from their locked positions unless the automobiles are confined entirely within their limits.

Other objects of my invention will be apparent from the following description wherein e a Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view, in side elevation, of a circuitous elevator showing my invention applied thereto; the associated building structure being shown in section.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view, in side elevation, of an automobile receptacle showing, in detail, essential features of my invention.

- Fig. 3 is a plan view of a portion of the rectangular frame shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. t is a View, taken on line IV-IV of Fig. 2, showing the locking mechanism, in cluded in my invention, and its method of actuation, as well as the method of raising and lowering the rectangular frame on each receptacle.

Fig. 5 is a control diagram illustrating the various circuits employed.

Referring to Fig. 1, it will be seen that the circuitous elevator to which I have applied my invention comprises a building 6 having an automobile entrance and exit doorway 7 provided with a pair of sliding doors 8, at the'bot-tom or ground floori). A pair of endless flexible members or chains 12 and 13 are disposed vertically within the building 6, in parallel spaced relation, and a plurality of receptacles, cages or slings 1 1, movablesuccessively past the doorway 7, are pivctally suspended therebetween and therefrom by A means of a pair of angularly disposed bracket arms 10 and 11 attaching the top of one end of each receptacle to the chain 12 and the bottom of the opposite end of each receptacle to chain 13. Suitable sheaves or sprocket wheels 16 are provided for movably supporting the endless chains 12 and 18 at the top and bottom thereof. A pair of vertically extending channel bars 17 are provided to receive the vertical portions of the endless chains, whereby they are confined to a fixed path of movement and whereby lateral distortion thereof. due to the cantilever support of the receptacles therefrom is prevented.

The channel bars 17 are supported upon a pedestal comprising four structural columns 15 and a horizontally positioned structural member 18 supported on parallel spaced horizontal structural members 18 secured to the columns 15. Transversely extending channel bars 19 rest on the member 18 and are employed to secure the channel bars 17 thereto.

The sheaves 16 are keyed or splined on stub shafts (not shown in detail) supported at opposite ends by suitable bearings 20 which are suspended or supported on trans verse channel members 21 connected to the vertical channel bars 17 associated with adjacent vertical portions of the same endless chain.

Any suitable means for moving the re ceptacles of the circuitous elevator may be provided. For the purpose of illustration, 1 have shown a motor 22, preferably of a threephase alternating current type, for driving a pair of sprocket wheels 23 which engage respectively adjacent verticallyextending portions of the endless chains. The sprocket wheels 23 are keyed or splined to a common shaft 24 upon which is also keyed a gear wheel 25 which is rotated by the motor 22 through an intervening speed-reducing gear mechanism 25'.

My invention is illustrated asbeing ap plied to a circuitous elevator having receptacles of novel construction, described in detail in the copending application of H. D. James and Gilbert Currie, Serial No. 512,291, above mentioned.

Briefly, each receptacle comprises a pair of horizontally disposed trackways 26, which are rigidly connected, in spaced parallel rclation, by suitable transversely extending members. The trackways are suspended from an arcuate trunnion bar 27, at one end, by a substantially rectangular frame 28, suflicient in size to allow an automobile to pass therethrough, and, at the other end, by suitable struts 29 secured to the trunnion bar 27 extending downwardly and outwardly to the trackways to which they are suitably fastened.

Pins 30. and 31, suitably attached to the opposite ends of the trunnion bar 27, a bearing member constituted by the joinder of the ends of the two angularly dis )osed bracket arms and 11 .(Fig. 4),to e ect a pivotal attachment of the receptacles 14 to the endless chains 12 and 13.

In order to protect the automobiles store in the circuitous elevator from physical injury due to the movement thereof, I have provideda means for preventing movement of the-elevator unless the automobiles, when initiall 1 stored, are confined entirely Within the limitsof the receptacles 14, which comprises a substantially rectangular frame 34 on each receptacle for closely surrounding an automobile disposed thereon.- I have found that the frames 34 may be readilyconstrucb ed by employing pipe members and couplings of suitabledimensions and strength. Each frame 34 is pivotally attached to its associated receptacle 14, preferably at the end opposite to the entrance-of the receptacle, by a bearing member 35 welded, or v otherwise suitably secured, to the trunnion'bar27 at a point thereon which is illustrated as more than one-halfthe height of a receptacle, al-

though it may be otherwise.

28, I have provided a .motor 38 for driving a pair of vertically. extending endless chains 40 and 41, each in the formof a. loop,disposed, respectively, on opposite sides of the doorway 7. A horizontally extending bar 42,1(Fig. 4) provided with ahook member- 43 thereon for engaging the end ofthe frame 34, is-secured, at the ends thereof, to the chains 40 and 41, respectively. I

.,The. endlesschains 40 and 41 are suitably supported, at top and bottom, by sheaves or sprocket wheels 44 and 45; theupper sprocket wheels 44 being keyed to spaced shafts 46.

to each of which is also keyed a beveled gear wheel 47. The gear wheels 47 are each opera-v tively engaged by a similar beveled gear wheel 48 suitably positioned and keyed to a common shaft 49 driven by the motor 38 through a speed-reducing gear mechanism.

50. It will'be clear, therefore, that, upon r0 tationcf the motor 38 in one direction, cor responding, vertically extending portions of the endless chains 40-and 41 move in the same direction. Thus, by connecting the opposite ends of the horizontally extending bar 42. tocorresponding sections of the end less chains 40 and 41, respectively, the bar .42 will be raised, upon the rotation of they motor 38 in one direction, and lowered upon.

rotation inv the opposite direction. In Fig.

4, the horizontally disposed bar-42 is shown, by broken lines, in its raised position; the end of the frame 34 also illustrated by broken lines, being thus held in a raised position to, permit the entranceor exit of an automobile to and from a receptacle. I

A drum-type switch 51, associated with, the frame'34 adjacent to the pivoted end thereof (Figs. 2 and 3) is operatively responsive to the position of the frame to prevent the actuation of the elevator-driving motor 22,.and the closing of the doors 8, unless the frame is in a completely lowered position into.

which it cannot be moved unless an automobile is entirely confinedwithin the limits of a receptacle. That is, movement of the elevator, as well as that of the doors,-is pre vented in the event that the end ofan, automobile projects through the frame 28, or in the event that a door thereof is left open.

When the .automobileris completely sur-. rounded by the frame 34, the automobile, is completely protected from physical injury throughout its storage period. Therefore, it will be seen that my invention effects a heretofore unattained degree of protection for automobiles stored in a circuitous elevator.

. The switch 51 may be of a- Well known type comprising a downwardly extending operating arm 52 for causing rotation of a contact drum (not shown) through an are which may or'may not be equal to jthearc through which theoperating arm rotates.

A pair of upwardly extending spaced rods or pipes. 53, connected by a strap or bar 54. 1s provided'for each of thefiframes 34, for engagingthe operating ar -111,52 of the switch 51 and-effecting the, operation thereof in accordance with thelmovement of any frame 34 associated therewith. v I

As indicated in F ig. 3,, the switch 51'is preferably mounted midway between the channel members 17, associated, respectively,

with oppositely moving portions of one of the endless chains, for example, chain 13,

by means of an angle bracket 55 suitably secured to a transversely extending support 56 connecting the channel members 17. The

pipes 53 are rigidly secured tothe pipe mem ber constituting the end-of theframe; 34, preferably at equaldistances on opposite sides of the center thereof, by means of.- T

couplings 57 or' other suitable means.

The contactdrum of switch 51,.as shown in Fig. 5 in developed form,is constituted by a short conducting segment 51 and a comparatively long insulating segment 51": The segment '51 bridges a pair of'contact fingers onlyin the position of the drum correspond ing to the lowermost position of the frame 34. A switch is thereby constituted which is closed only when the frame is in its lowermost position, and I prefer to employ this switch to prevent the energization of the elevator motor 22 and the closing of the doors 8 unless the frame 34 is in a completely lowered position. The fact that the doors do not close is a signal to the driver that his automobile is not so positioned on the receptacle as to be entirely confine within the limits thereof.

A drum switch 60, associated with the bar 42 (Figs. 2 and 4) is provided to stop the bar-lifting motor 38 when the bar reaches its extremities of travel, and it also serves to prevent the actuation of the elevator motor 22 and the closing of the doors 8 unless the bar 42 is in a completely lowered position.

The drum switch 60 comprises three rings 61, 62 and 63 shown in developed form in Fig. 5, mounted on the periphery of an insulating drum (not shown) in spaced relation. The drum, on which the rings 61, 62 and 63 are mounted, may be moved in accordance with the movement of the bar 42 by any suitablemeans, but, for purposes of illustration, it is shown in Fig. 2 as mounted on the same shaft, as is a sprocket wheel 45 of the endless chain 40.

The ring 61 is constituted by a short conducting segment 61 and a comparatively long insulating segment 61". Contact fingers or brushes are stationarily mounted on the switch 60 in positions to be bridged by the a segment 61 only when the bar 42 is in a completely loweredposition. The switch thus constituted is connected in series with the switch constituted by segment 51 of the switch 51 and its associated contact fingers, and thus the actuation of the elevator motor 22 to move the receptacles, as well as the closing of the doors 8, is prevented unless the bar 42 is in a completely lowered position.

The ring 62 is constituted by conducting and insulating portions 62 and 62", respectively, so disposed that a pair of contact fingers are bridged by the conducting portion when the bar 42 is in a completely raised position and remain bridged during the lowering of the bar 42 until it reaches its lowermost position. One of the contact fingers is then engaged by the insulating portion 62 and the electrical connection between the contact fingers is broken to effect the stopping of the frame-operating motor 38. This position of the ring 62 is shown in Fig. 5.

The ring 63 comprises a conducting portion 63 and an insulating portion 63" so disposed that a pair of contact fingers are electrically connected when the bar 42 is in a completely lowered position (as shown rn Fig. 5) and remain electrically connected during the raising of the bar 42 until the bar reaches its completely raised position, at which time one of the contact fingers engages the insulating portion 63 to interrupt the circuit of the motor 88.

The rings 62 and 63 are thus, in partial effect, limit switches for effecting the deenergization' of the motor 38 at the lower and upper extremities of travel, respectively, of the bar 42.

For the purpose of locking the receptacles 14 in fixed positions when the circuitous elevator is stopped and the doors 8 are open, I have provided a locking device 65 (see Fig. 4) for engaging, and preventing the movement of one or more of the sprocket wheels 16 of an endless chain 12 of the elevator. Although I have shown a locking device for one sprocket wheel only, it should be understood that a similar locking device may be readily applied to each of the sprocket wheels supporting the endless chains 12 and 13. The locking device comprises a pawl 66 for engaging the openings between the teeth of a sprocket-wheel 16, the pawl being attached to a lever arm 67 at one end thereof. The opposite end of the lever arm 67 is keyed to a shaft 68, and a comparatively long downwardly-extending lever arm 69 is also keyed, at its upper end, to the shaft 68. The shaft 68 is suitably mounted in a bracket 70 which is stationarily secured to'one of the channels 17, as by welding. A compression spring 71 is provided for biasing the pawl 66 normally out of engagement with the sprocket wheel 16 and is disposed between an arm of the bracket 70 and a collar 72 on a rod 7 3 slidably movable through the arm of the bracket member 7 O and attached to the end of the lever arm 67 to which the pawl- 66 is at tached.

It will thus be seen that, by moving the lower end of the lever arm 69 through an arc, the pawl 66 is moved into engagement with the sprocket wheel 16 against the compression force of spring 71. It will also be seen that, when the pawl 66 properly engages the opening between two teeth of the sprocket wheel 16, movement of the sprocket wheels is prevented. Therefore, movement of the endless chains and the receptacles is prevented, and the receptacle are, in effect, locked in fixed positions.

I have provided a means for moving the lever arm 69 to cause the pawl 66 to engage the sprocket wheel 16, which comprises a horizontally disposed endless chain 74 having a collar 74 thereon for engaging the lower bifurcated end of the lever arm 69. The endless chain 74 is mounted, at its eXtremi: ties, on suitable sprocket wheels 75 and 76 disposed on opposite sides of the doorway 7. The sprocket wheel 75 is driven by a reversible motor 77, through a suitable speed-reducing gear mechanism 77, and thus the chain 74 is moved in either of two opposite directions.

The motor 77 and the chain 74 may also be used to control the movement of the doors 8, which may be of any suitable type.

As illustrated in Figs.- 3 and 4, the pair of. doors 8 are of the slidin type and move laterally from the center 0 the doorway 7 in opposite directions. ThG'dOOlS are supported by means of pulleys 7-8 suitably secured to the doors and adapted .to travel on a track or rail 80, in a usual manner.

As illustrated, one of the doors 8 is connected to the lower run of the endless chain 74 by means of an upwardly extending bar orrod 81 rigidly connecting a point on the endless chain to the top edge of the door. The othcrdoor is similarly connected to the upper runof thechain by a bar or rod 82.

It will thus be seen that,upon movement of the endless chain 7 4 in one direction, the two doors will be simultaneously moved at the same speed laterally in opposite directions from the center of doorway 7 to open it, and, upon movement of the chain in the opposite direction, the doors will be simultaneously moved toward each other to close the doorway.

A drum switch 83 (Fig. operated in accordance with the movement of the doors 8, is provided for the purpose of effecting the deenergization of the motor 77 to stop the doors at the extremities of their travel, to prevent the energization of the motor 2:2 to move the receptacles unless the doors are completely closed and to effect the actuation of the frame-operating-motor 38 to automaticaL ly cause the frame 34 to be raised when the doors are completey opened. For the purpose of illustration, I have indicated that the drum of switch 83 is mounted on theshaft to which the sprocket wheel 7 6, supporting one endof the endless chain 74, is keyed. Referring to Fig. .5, the switch83 includes four rings 84, 85, 86 and 87, mounted in spaced relation on the periphery of an insulating drum (not shown).

The ring 84 comprises a short conducting segment 84 and a comparatively long insulating segment 84". A .pair of contact fingers are stationarily disposed and engageable simultaneously by the conducting segment 84 to close a circuit only when the doors 8 are completely closed. This relation of the contact fingers and the segment 8 is shown in Fig. 5. The switch, thus constituted, is

employed to prevent th actuation of the elevator motor 22 unless the doors 8 are completely closedp I The ring 85 comprises a stepped conducting portion 85 and an insulating portion 85" so disposed that a pair of contact fingers are electrically connected when the doors 8 are closed (shown in Fig. 5) and are maintained connected until the. doors are completely opened, at which time one of the contact fingers engages the insulating portion .85!

at which time one of the contact fingers ento interrupt a circuit and effect .the stopping of the door motor 7 7. I

The ring 86 is similar to the ring 85 and comprises a conducting portion 86 and an in sulating portion 86 so disposed that a pair of contactfingers associated therewith are electrically connected when the doors 8 are completely opened, and are maintained connected until the doors are completely closed,

gages the insulating portion 86 to inter.- rupt a circuit and'effect the stopping of the door motor 77. This latterrelation of the contact fingers and ring .86. is shown in Fig. 5.

The rings 85 and 86, together with their respectively associated contact fingers, constitute, therefore, in part, limit switches for effecting the deenergization of the motor 77 to stop the movement of the doors at the closed and open extremities of travel thereof, respectively. i

i The ring 87 comprises a short conducting segment 87 and a comparatively longinsulating segment87. Theconducting segment 87 is angularly so spaced with respect to the conducting segment 84 on the ring 84 that a pair of contact fingers engaging the ring 87 are in engagement with the segment 87 at a time when the doors 8 are completely opened. The. switch, thus constituted, is employed to automatically effect the actuation of the frame-operating motor 38 to cause it to raise the frame 34 when the doors have reached their open extremity of travel. I

In the operation ofa circuitouselevator, it is contemplated that each receptacle .will be assigned to a particular patron, either permanently or temporarily, by means of an identifying character or numeral. For the purpose of indicating to the patron, the position of the receptacle which .has been assigned. to him, in order that he may operate the elevator to cause his receptacle to .move to the doorway 7 by the shortest route, have provided an indicating device 90 ig. 4;) which comprises a movable disk 91 having numbers thereon, corresponding to the numbers of the different receptacles, spacediat 2 regular intervals. Any suitable means for rotating the disk 91 in accordance withthe movement ofthe receptacles may be provided. The indicating device 90, as such, does ,not however, constitute a part of my present invention.

For purposes of illustration, I have shown a driving mechanism for the indicating .device which comprises a bevel gear wheel 92 keyed to the end of a stub shaft to which one of the sprocketwheels 16 .is alsokeyed, and which operatively engages a similar bevel gear wheel 93 keyed to a horizontally disposed shaft. 94; suitably mounted within the building structureE s MJtI er bevel gear 1 wheel 95 is keyed to the end of the shaft 94 to operatively engage a similar bevel gear wheel 96 keyed to a shaft 97 suitably mounted and disposed horizontally, preferably, at right'angles to the shaft 94. A bevel gear wheel 98 is keyed to the shaft 97 to operatively engage a bevel gear wheel 99 keyed to the upper end of a vertically disposed shaft 100. A bevel gear wheel 101 is keyed to the lower end of the shaft 100 to operatively engage a bevel gear wheel 102 keyed to a horizontally disposed shaft 103 to which the disk 91, comprising the indicating device, is also keyed. The ratio of the gear drive is such that, during the time that one receptacle moves from a position adjacent to the doorway 7 and another takes its place, the corresponding numerals on the disk 91 move a proportionate distance with reference to a predetermined position corresponding to the loading position adjacent to the doorway 7. A stationary pointer, such as pointer 103 may be employed to indicate the loading position.

The indicating device 90 is suitably so mounted that the driver, standing in front ofthe doors 8, may determine the position of the receptacle, which he desires to call, with respect to the loading position, by observing the relative position of the numeral corresponding to his receptacle and the pointer 103'.

Referring to Fig. 5, I have provided a pair of relays 104 and 105 for controlling the actuation of the elevator motor 22 to cause the circuitous elevator to move in clockwise and counter-clockwise directions, respectively, when viewed from the front of the building structure. A push-button switch 106, of the ordinary type which necessitates constant- 1y applying manual pressure thereto to maintain its contact members closed, is provided for effecting the energization of relay 104. A similar push-button switch 107 is provided for effecting the energization of relay 105.

The motor 22 is provided with an automatically operating brake 108, of well known construction, having electromagnetic responsive means for releasing it upon the energization of the relays 104 and 105, and biasing means, such as a spring, for causing it to reset upon the deenergization of the relays.

A pair of relays 109 and 110 are provided for effecting the actuation of the motor 38 to cause it to respectively raise and lower the bar 42.

An automatically operated brake 111 for -1notor 38 similar to the brake 108, is controlled by the relays 109 and 110.

A pair of relays 112 and 113 are provided for effecting the actuation of motor '77 to cause it to open and close, respectively, the doors 8, A brake 114, similar to brake 108,

for the motor 77, is controlled by the relays 112 and 113.

A push-button switch 115, of the type having a holding coil energizable upon the initial closing of the contact members of the switch to maintain them closed until the coil is deenergized, is provided for initiating the opening of the doors 8 and the raising of the frame 34. The two events occur sequentially and automatically as a result of the single operation of the switch 115, in a manner which will be more fully described hereinafter.

A push-button switch 116 is provided for initiating the lowering of the frame 34 and the closing of the doors; both events occurring sequentially and automatically as a re sult of the operation of the switch 116.

The operation of my invention, as a whole, will be best understood by an assumed operation. Let it be assumed that an automobile is stopped in a position in front of, and facing, the doors 8 which are closed.

The driver observes the indicating device 90 to determine the position of the receptacle which has been assigned to him, such, for example, as receptacle 143 in Fig. 1. Obviously, in order to bring a receptacle occupying such position to the loading and unloading position at the doorway 7, by the shortest route, it is necessary that the cicuitous elevator be moved in a clockwise direction, when viewed from the doorway 7.

The driver, therefore, presses the clockwise puslrbutton switch 106, which is suitably positioned for access thereto, to cause the circuitous elevator to move in a elocl wise direction. The closing of switch 106 closes a circuit for energizing relay 104, which extends from supply conductor L1, through conductor 120, switch 106, conductor 121, the coil of relay 104, conductor 122, normally closed contact members 6 of relay 105, conductors 123 and 124, the switch constituted by the conducting segment 84 and the associated contact fingers of ring 84 in the door switch 83, conductors 125 and 126, the switch constituted by the conducting segment 61 on the ring 61 of the switch 60, and the associated contact fingers, conductor 127, switch 51 and conductor 128, to supply conductor L2.

The energization of relay 104 opens the normally closed contact members 6 and f and closes the normally open contact members a, b, 0, and (Z thereof.

The opening of the contact members 7 of relay 104 prevents the opening of the doors 8 and the raising of the bar 42, while the receptacles of the circuitous elevator are moving, as will be more specifically pointed out hereinafter.

The opening of contact members 6 of relay 104 opens the circuit for energizing the coil of relay 1.05 and thus prevents the energization thereof while relay 104 is energized.

The closing of contact members d of relay 104 closes a circuit for energizing a magnetizing coil 108 of the brake 108, associated with the elevator motor 22, whereupon the brake is released and the motor freed for rotation. The circuit for energizing the coil 108- extends from supply conductor L1, through conductor 129, contact members (I of relay 104, conductors 130 and 131,. coil 108 and conductor 132, to supply conductor L2.

The closing of contact members a, b,and '0 of relay 104 effects the connection of the terminals of the three-phase windings X, Y, and Z of motor 22 to the three-phase alternating-current supply conductors AC3, AC2,

and AC1, respectively. The connection'for phase-winding X extends from supply conductor AC3, through conductor 133, contact members a of relay 104 and conductors 134 and 135, to the outside terminal of the phasewinding X. 'Theconnection for phase-winding Y extends from supply conductor AC2, through conductor 136, contact members 7) of relay 104 and conductors 137 and 138, to the outside terminal of phase-Winding Y. The connection for phase-winding Z extends from supply conductor AC1, through conductor 139, contact members 0 of relay 104 and conductors 140 and 141, to the outside terminal of phase-winding Z.

Upon the actuation of the motor 22, as a result of the energization of the phase-windings X, Y, and Z, in the manner just described, the receptacles are caused to move, in the endless path within the building structure, in a clockwise direction.

-counter-clockwise The driver of the automobile continues to hold the switch 106 closed until he observes that the character 3 on the indicating device 90*has reached the predetermined position indicated by pointer 103 and corresponding to the lowermost position of the receptacle 143, and then releases the switch 106 to open it and effect the immediate stopping of the motor and the consequent stopping of the elevator. In the event that the receptacle does not stop at the level of the lowermost position or floor -9, either because it was stopped prior to reaching the flooror because it was carried beyond and above the floor again, the driver operates either the switch 106 or the switch 107, inorder to move'the receptacle into proper position at the level of the floor 9.

Let it be assumed that the receptacle Was moved too far. The driver then operates switch 107 to cause the elevator to move and return receptacle 14-3 to the level of the floor. The closing ofswitch'107 closes a circuit for energizing the coil of relay 105, which extends from a supplyconductor L1, through conductors 120 and 142, the switch 107, conductor 143, coil of relay 105, conductor 144, normally closed contact members 0 of relay 104, conductor 124, the switch constituted by :the segment 84 of the ring 84 on the switch 83, together with its associatedcontact fingers, conductors 125 and 126 and switches 60 and 51, to supply I conductor L2,'as previously-traced for the coil of relay 104.

,T'he energization of relay 105 opens the normally closed. contact members 6 and. f and closes the normally open contact members a,

Z), c and (Z thereof.

The contact members 7 of relay 105 servc the same purpose as contact members fof relay 104, namely, to prevent the opening of the doors 8 and the raising of the bar 42 while the receptacles aremoving.

Contact members 0 of relay 105, when opened, prevent the energization' of the coil of relay 104, whereby the simultaneous energization of relays 104 and 105 is prevented. I

The closing of contact members a, b and c of relay 105 effects the connection ofthe terminals of the three-phase-windings X, Y,

and Z of motor 22 to the alternating-current supply conductors AC2, AC3 and AC1, re-f spectively. The connection for phase-winding X extends from supply conductor AC2, through. conductor 1455, contact membersa of relay 105 and conductors 134 and 135, to the be clear that the connections to phase-windings X and Y are interchanged from that established by the actuation of relay 104.

Therefore, the motor 22 is actuated to rotate in such direction as .tomove the receptacles in a counter-clockwise direction.

Let it be assumed that the driver has properly positioned receptacles 143 at the level of floor 9 in the manner previously described. He then operate the push-button switch 115. The closing of switch 115 .closes a circuit for energizing the holding coil 115 of the switch and also the coil of relay 112, resulting immediately in the energization of motor 77 to open the doors 8. This circuit extends from supply conductor L1, through conductor 148, normally closed contact members f of relay 104, conductor 149, contact members f of relay 105, conductor 150, coil 115, switch 115, conductor 151, ring and associated. contact fingers on switch 83, conductor 152, coil of relay 112, conductor 153, normallyclosed contact members 6 of relay 113 and conductor 154, to supply conductor L2. It will thus be clear that if the contact members of either of the relays 104 and 105 are open, the above traced circuit cannot be closed, and the relay 112 cannot be energized.

The energization of coil 115' maintains the contact members of switch 115 closed and permits the driver to remove his hand therefrom.

The opening of contact members 6 of relay 112 prevents the energization of the coil of relay 113, while'relay 112 is actuated.

The closing of the contact members (Z of relay 112 closes a circuit for energizing the coil 114 of brake 11 1, associated with the door motor 7 '7, whereby the brake is released and the motor freed for rotation. This circuit extends from supply conductor L1, through conductors 155 and 156, contact members (Z of relay 112, conductors 157 and 158, magnetizing coil 11 1 and conductor 159, to supply conductor L2.

The closing of the contact members a, b and 0 of relay 112 connects the terminals of the phase-winnings A, B and C of motor 77, to the alternating-current supply conductors AC1, AC3 and AC2, respectively. The con-. nection of the phasewindings A, B and C to the alternsting-current supply conductors is deemed suiiiciently clear to render the detailed tracing thereof unnecessary.

The motor 77 is thus actuated to rotate in a direction to cause the doors 8 to open in the manner previously described. Further, it will be clear that such opening will. be prevented if the circuitous elevator is moving, due to the fact that the contact members f of either relay 10 1 or relay 105 are open.

The motor 77 continues to rotate until one of the contact fingers, in association with the ring 85 of the switch 83, engages the insulating portion 85" of the ring 85, thereby causing the opening of the circuit of the holding coil of switch 115 and the deenergization of the coil of relay 112. As a result, the switch 115 opens, motor 77 stops, the coil 114 of the brake 114 is deenergized and the brake is automatically set on the motor 77.

The motor 7? rotates in such direction as to cause the endless chain 7 1 and the collar 74: thereon to move in a direction so that the collar 74 engages the bifurcated end of the lever arm 69, of the sprocket wheel locking device 65, a short distance before the extremity of travel of the collar corresponding to the completely open position of the doors 8, and moves the lever 69. When the doors 8 are completely open, the movement of the lever arm 69 has caused the pawl 66 to engage a space between successive teeth on the sprocket wheel 16. The relative positions of the sprocket wheel 16 and the pawl 66 at the time that a receptacle is at the lowermost position in its endless path, that is, properly positioned at the level of the floor 9, is such that the pawl 66 moves into a space between two successive teeth. Inasmuch as the pawl 66 is of: less width than the space be tween the two successive teeth, a small variation in the position of a receptacle does not prevent the engagement of the pawl in a space between two successive teetl of the sprocket wheel.

In the event that the brake 108 is ineffective to prevent an accidental movement of the circuitous elevator, caused by the unbalance in the load on the receptacles of adjacent vertical columns, the locking device 65, having been actuated as just described, prevents a movement of the elevator and, in effect, locks all of the receptacles in fixed positions as long as the doors 8 are open.

When the doors 8 have attained their completely separated position, determined by the stopping of the motor 77, the conducting segment 8? of the ring 87 on the switch 83 engages its associated contact fingers and closes a circuit for ener izing relay 109, whereby the frame-operating motor 38 is actuated to raise the bar 12. This circuit extends from supply conductor L1, throu conductors 160 and 161, the switch constituted by the seg ment 87 and its associated contact lingers, conductor 162, the switch constituted by ring 63 and its associated contact fingers of the switch. 60, coinluctor 16S, coil of rela 109, conductor 16 1, normally closed contact members of relay 110, and condiuztor 165, to supply conductor L2.

The energization of relay 109 opens the normally closed contact members 0 and closes the normally open contact members a, I), c, and (Z thereof.

The opening of contact members 0 of relay 109 prevents the energization of relay 110 sin'iultaneously with the energization of relay 109.

The closing of contact members (Z of relay 109 closes a circuit for energizing magnetizing coil 111 of brake 111, whereby the brake is released and the motor freed for rotation.

he circuit for energizing coil 111' extends from supply conductor L1, through conductors 160 and 166, contact members (Z of relay 109, conductors 167 and 168, coil 111 and conductor 169, to supply conductor L2.

The closing of the contact members a, Z) and 0 of relay 109 connects the terminals of the three-phase windings M, N, and O of motor 38 to the alternating-current supply conductors AC3, AC2 and AC1, respectively, which connections are deemed sufiiciently apparent to preclude the necessity for tracing them. The motor 38 is actuated, upon the energizing of the phase-windings M, N and O, in the manner described immediately above, to cause the bar 42 to move upwardly from its lowermost position, the hook member 13 en aging the projecting end of the frame 34 on receptacle 14-4) in the movement upward, thus effecting the raising of the frame 3 1.

- 5 ing coil 116 of the switch 116 which extends The motor 38 continues to rotate and move the bar 42 upwardly until one of the contact fingers associated with the ring 63 of the switch 60 engages the insulating portion 63",

at which time, the circuit for energizing relay 109, is interrupted, the motor 38 stopped and the brake 111 automatically set thereon with the bar 42 and the frame 34 also'stopped in the raised position, as indicated by the broken line in Fig. 4.

The raising of the frame 34 causesa rotation of the drum comprising the switch 51 to open it and, therefore, the actuation of the motor 22 to move the receptacles and the motor 7 7 to close the doors is prevented.

The raising of the bar 42 causes the switch constituted by the ring61 and the associated contact fingers of switch 60 to open and the actuation of the motors 22 and 77 is likewise thereby prevented. I

The, entranceto the receptacle at the loading position is 'now unobstructed, and the driver having, in the meantime, re-entered his automobile, drives it; directly through the doorway 7 andthrough the rectangular frame 28 upon the trackways 26 of the receptacle.

After stopping the automobile on the trackways of thereceptacle, the driver sets his automobile hand-brake and, as he leaves the building structure, presses the push-button switch 116 for the purpose of lowering the frame 34 and reclosing the doors 8.

The closing of the switch 116 closes a cir cuit for energizing the relay 110 and the holdfrom supply conductor L1, through conductor 179 emergency stop switch 180, conductor 180, coil 1 16, switch 116, conductor 181, the switch constituted by the ring 62 and its associated contact fingers, conductor 182,'coil of relay 110, conductor 183, normally closed contact members 6 of relay 109 and conductors 184 and 165, to supply conductor L2. p

The energization of coil 116 maintains the contact members of switch 116 closed and permits the driverto remove his hand therefrom.

The energization of relay 110 opens the normally closed contact members 6 and closes the normally open contact members a, b, c and (1 thereof. i

The opening of contact members 6 of relay 110 opens the circuit for energizing the coil of relay 109 andthus prevents the simultaneous energization of relays 109 and 110..

The closing of contact members 03 of. relay 110., closes a circuit for energizing coil 111 of brake 111 to. release and free the motor 38 for rotation. This circuit is substantially the same as that previously traced for contact members d of relay 109, except that contact members d of relay 110, being connected in parallel, are substituted for the contact members d of relay 109. I

The closing of the contact members a, b and 0 ofthe relay 110 effects the connection AC1, respectively, which connections are sufficiently apparent in Fig. 5 to preclude the necessity of tracing them.

' The actuation of the'motor 38, under the energization of the windings M, N and O,

as just described, causes it to rotate in a di-.

rection to lower the bar 42 and, therefore, the frame 34. 8

Assuming that the automobile has been properly positioned, the motor continuesto lower the bar 42 and, when the lugs 36 on the frame 34 engage the stop'brackets 37 the hook member 43 disengages the end of the frame 34 and continues to. move downwardly. When the drum of switch 60 reaches a position determined by the extremelowermost position ofthe bar .42, one of the associated contact fingers engages the insulating portion 62' of the ring 62, and the circuit previously traced for energizing relay 110 and the holding coil 116 is interrupted. The switch 116 is, therefore, opened and, as a result,- the motor 38 stops and the brake 111 is automatically set. I

When the drum of the switch '60 reaches the position corresponding to thelowermost position of the bar 42, the segment 61' on the ring 61 engages its associated contactfingers to close a circuit through ring 86 of switch 83 for energizingrelay 113 to effect the 010s- 'ing of the doors 8. This circuit extends from supply conductor L1, through conductors 155, 156 and 185, normally closed contact members 6 of relay 112, conductor 186, coil of rela 113, conductor 187, the switch constitute by the conducting portion 86" of the ring 86' on the switch 831 andit's associated contact fingers,conductor .126, segmentfil and its associated contact fingers of switch 112 simultaneously with the energization of relay 113. v

The closing of the contact members d'of relay 113 closes the circuit for energizing the coil 114 of the brake 114to releasea-nd freey the door motor 7 7 for rotation. This circuit is substantially thesame'as that traced for contact members d of relay 112, the contact members d of the two relays 112 and 113 being connectedin parallel.

The closing ofthe, contact members a, b A

and 0 of relay 113 effects the connection of the. terminals of the three-phase windings A, Band C of motor 77 to the alternatingcurrent supply conductors AC1, AC2 and AC3, respectively. These connections are sufiiciently apparent in Fig. 5 to preclude the necessity for tracing them. The motor 77 is thus actuated to rotate in a direction to close the doors 8.

When the drum of the switch 83 reaches a position, with respect to the contact fingers, as illustrated in Fig. 5, corresponding to the completely closed position of the doors, one of the contact fingers engages the insulating portion 86 of the ring 86, and the circuit previously traced for energizing the relay 113 is interrupted, resulting in the stopping of the motor 77 and the resetting of the brake 114.

The complete closing of the doors 8 is a signal to the driver that he has left the elevator in proper order for the subsequent operation by other patrons.

Assume now that the driver left a door of his automobile ajar or that he left the automobile with one end thereof projecting out of the receptacle through the frame 28. The frame 34 will be obstructed in its free movement downwardly, as will also the bar 42, by striking the projecting parts of the automobile. In order to prevent the windings M, N and O of the motor 38 from burning out, as a result of the stopping of the bar 42 before reaching its lower limit of travel, any suitable means may be provided, such as a friction clutch which allows the armature of the motor to rotate although the movement of the bar 42 is stopped, or thermal cut-out switches in the supply conductors to the phase windings M, N and 0.

Since the switch 51 is open at this time, due to the fact that the frame 34 has not been lowered to its lowermost extremity of travel and, since the drum of the switch 60 is in such position that the switch constituted by the segment 61 on the ring 61 and its associated contact fingers is open due to the fact that bar 42 is not in its lowermost position, it is impossible for the energizing circuit of relay 113 to be closed to effect the closing of the doors.

Having operated the switch 116 and observed that the doors 8 do not close, the driver presses the emergency push-button switch 180 which opens the circuit for energizing the relay 110, and effects the stopping of the motor 38 which is rotating in a direction to lower the bar 42. Since a previously traced circuit for energizing relay 109 is closed by the closing of the contact members 0 of relay 110, the motor 38 is again energized to cause the bar 42 to rise and elevate the frame 34 to its extreme upper position. The driver may then so adjust the position of his automobile upon the receptacle that the frame 34 will clear it.

During the closing of the doors 8, the rotation of the motor 77, and the movement of the endless chain 7 4 thereby, was in such dicontrolling the actuation of the elevator 7 motor 22.

It will be seen, therefore, that I have provided a means for preventing the movement of a circuitous elevator unless all the automobiles on all the receptacles are confined en- 1 tirely within the limits of the receptacles by which they are supported.

It will also be seen that I have provided means for preventing the opening of a door, providing entrance and exit facilities for the receptacles of a circuitous elevator, when the elevator is moving, and means for preventing the movement of the elevator when the door is open.

It will be seen, further, that I have provided means for locking the receptacles of a circuitous elevator in fixed positions whenever a door, providing entrance and exit facilities for automobiles, is opened and that I have provided means for preventing the opening of a door while the receptacles are moving, whereby the actuation of the locking device for maintaining the receptacles in fixed positions cannot be effected during movement of the receptacles.

It is understood that my invention is capable of various modifications without departure from the spirit thereof. It is desired, therefore, that only such limitations shall be imposed thereon as are necessitated by the prior art and by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a safety device for automobile-storage structures including a plurality of receptacles movable in an endless path, means for preventing the movement of said receptacles unless an automobile is entirely within the confines ofa receptacle, said means comprising a frame for each receptacle and supported thereon for unrestricted movement between two extreme positions when an automobile is so positioned on the associated receptacle as to be entirely within the confines thereof, said frame preventing an automobile from entering or leaving a receptacle except when the frame is substantially in one of said extreme positions, and means, responsive to the movement of said frame, for preventing movement of all the receptacles unless the said I frame is in the extreme position opposed to the said one extreme position.

2. In a safety device for automobile-storage structures including a plurality of receptacles movable in an endless path, means for preventing the movement of said receptacles unless an automobile is entirely within the confines of a receptacle, said means compris-o ing a frame for each'receptacle supported thereon for unrestricted movement between an extreme lower position and an extreme upper position when an automobile is so positioned on the associated receptacle as to be entirely within the confines thereof, said frame preventing an automobile from enter- I of a receptacle, said means comprising a frame for each receptacle which is supported thereon for unrestricted movement between two extreme positions when an automobile is so positioned on the associated receptacle as to be entirely within the confines thereof, said frame preventing anautomobile from entering or leaving a receptacle, except when the frame is in one of said extreme positions,and means, responsive to the movement of said frame, for rendering said motive means incapable of being actuated unless the said frame is in the extreme position opposed to the said one extreme position.

4. In an automobilestorage structure, a plurality of receptacles movable in an endless path, safety means for preventing the movement of all of the said receptacles unless an automobile is entirely within the confines of a receptacle, said safety means comprising a frame for each receptacle movably'supported thereon for movement into one extreme position in which it permits an automobile to enter or leave the receptacle, said frame being also unrestrictedly movable into another extreme position only when an automobile is entirely within the confines of the receptacle, motive means for moving said frame, and control means therefor comprising means movable in accordance with the movement of said motive means to stop said motive means when said frame reaches either of the said extreme positions. I

5. In an automobile-storage structure, a plurality of receptacles movable in an endless path, safety means for preventing the movement of all of said receptacles unless an automobile is entirely within the confines of a receptacle, said safety means comprising a frame for each receptacle movably supported thereon for movementinto an extreme position in which it permits an automobile to enter or leave a receptacle, said frame being also unrestrictedly movable into another extremc position onlywhen anautomobileis entirely within the confines of the receptacle, motive means formoving said frames, and control means for said frame motive means comprising switch means movable in accordance with the movement of said motive means for causing it to automatically return the frame to the said extreme position, in which the automobile is permitted to enter or leave the receptacle, when said motive means is intermediately stopped.

6. In an automobile-storage pluralitv of automobile receptacles movable in an endless path, motive means for moving said receptacles, reversing means forcontrolcling said receptacle motive means, a door,

door, a source of supply for said motive means, and means including said reversing means, for disconnecting said door motive means from its source of supply to prevent actuation thereof to open said door when the receptacles are moving. i

7. In an automobile-storage structure, a plurality of receptacles movable in an endless path, a door, safety means for preventing the movement of said receptacles and the closure of said door unless an automobile is entirely withinthe confines of a receptacle, said safety means comprising a frame supported on each receptacle and movable into two'positions, one in which it permits an automobile to enter or leave a receptacle, and the other in which it prevents an automobile from entering or leaving a receptacle and into which position the frame cannot move unless an automobile is entirely within the confines of the receptacle, and means for preventing the closure of said door when said frame is not in the position to prevent the entry of an automobile to, or its departure from, a receptacle.

8. In an automobile storage structure, in combination, a pair of endless flexible members, rotatable means for supporting said flexible members for movement in similar endless paths, a plurality of receptacles supported by said flexible members and movable therewith in an endless path, motive means for moving the flexible members, a brake for saidmotive means operable to prevent movement of said motive means when it is not energized, and means operable to lock said flexible members against movement only when said motive means is not actuated.

9. In an automobile-storage structure, a plurality of endless chains disposed in parallel spaced relation, sprocket wheels engaging said endless chains for rotatably supporting them for movement in similar endless paths; a plurality of receptacles supported by said endless chains andrmovable therewith in an endless path, and means effective only when said receptacles are not moving, for locking said sprocket wheels against movement, 1

structure, a

whereby movement of the endless chains and the receptacles is prevented.

10. In an automobile-storage structure, a plurality of receptacles movable in an endless path, a door for said structure, operating means for opening and closing said door, means including means actnable by said oper ating means when it opens said door, for locking said receptacles in position as long as said door is open, and means for preventing the actuation of said door-operating means to open said door when said receptacles are moving.

' 11. In an automobile-storage structure, a plurality of receptacles movable in an endless path, motive means for moving said receptacles, a door for said structure, motive means for operating said door, means comprising a safety frame on each receptacle movable into a position closely surrounding an automobile thereon, and means controlled by said frame for preventing the actuation of said receptacle-motive means and said door-motive means unless an automobile occupies a posi 'tion on the receptacle entirely Within the limits of said frame thereof, motive means for moving said safety frame, and a control system comprising means for controlling the actuation of said receptacle motive means, said door-motive means and said safetyframc-motive means.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 27th day of February GILBERT CURRIE. 

